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-   -   Chance of Upgrade Clearing and Availability (2023 Master Thread) (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-airlines-aadvantage/2106380-chance-upgrade-clearing-availability-2023-master-thread.html)

JJeffrey Feb 11, 2023 7:02 am


Originally Posted by thucanhho (Post 35002318)
Also, what does "clear at window" mean? When the window is opened to be graded, eg T-100 for ExPlat, T-72 for PlPro?

Yes.

EXP100 Feb 11, 2023 2:55 pm

EXP with 220K LP. Last Tuesday (2/7) MIA/DFW, number 2 cleared at the gate on a NEO. Wednesday DFW/TUS number five on the upgrade list, one person was pulled from Y, ceo. However, F FA came back, recognized all the EXPs in Y and offered a large bottle of water to go, TUS/PHX cleared at T-100, 5-6 people in F, NEO

Early Saturday morning (12.45 AM), PHX/JFK on the 321T. Cleared at T-100. Bunch of non revers in F (sold as separate cabin), J had about 4-5 paxs and some Y paxs tried to take empty J seats but were sent packing back to steerage. Duvet and pillow, small amenities kit but no meal service. Great FAs. Then JFK/MIA on the 772, number 5 on the list no one cleared. PE saved the day.

guy999 Feb 11, 2023 3:14 pm

i was number 1 on the way out. but number 5 or 6 on the upgrade list on the way back. People must have pretty amazing loyalty point numbers on that sunday flight back from vail.

lowkeyflyer Feb 12, 2023 2:18 pm


Originally Posted by metallo (Post 35001582)
A319 flights to/from popular winter ski/beach destinations are very tough upgrades, even with high status. Examples that come to mind include Vail, Jackson Hole, Key West, St. Thomas, etc. And by tough, I mean often practically impossible, unless there is a last minute cancellation.

Most of these seats are being sold in advance, as evidenced by the cabins often being zeroed out well before the upgrade windows even open. We're clearly still in a situation currently where premium demand exceeds supply. As someone who often books flights less than a week out, including leisure trips, it's actually quite annoying that I can't even buy a J seat on many of these routes.

Any particular reason you book less than one week out? I imagine flight prices are exorbitantly higher at that timeframe.

lowkeyflyer Feb 12, 2023 2:22 pm

Plat Pro 900 LPs
AA 185 JFK-LAX 8:35 PM on 2/11
Cleared at window

Surprisingly, the flight was almost empty. When I checked seatmap, biz cabin was totally full. After boarding, there were 11 open seats in biz. FA told me that there were 8 no shows for biz. F was full. Economy had maybe 7 people? FAs told me that even in that scenario they won't give main cabin folks the biz seats. Makes sense.

diburning Feb 12, 2023 9:56 pm

Platinum. 4 days before departure. 2/60 left in Business/First (sold as First) according to the seat map. JFK-MIA. Not hopeful! But I'm already booked in the Premium Economy cabin (sold as MCE) so I won't be unhappy if I don't make it.

ginterparkdj Feb 13, 2023 11:48 am


Originally Posted by lrdpenn (Post 34937347)
It might come earlier. All depends if AA opens C in advance, which can happen anytime from now to the flight. Hard to tell on chances since it's also a holiday weekend. If it doesn't clear, hopefully you can at least get the PE seats for free since they will be treated as all normal MCE seat.

Miles+copay upgrades for J just cleared at 96 hours!!!

EJRofChicago Feb 16, 2023 7:56 am

Plat Pro here (temporarily, anyway, thanks to being Hyatt Globalist and that Instant Status Pass promo)

DCA>BNA, the 0830 departure this coming Sunday. Upgrade cleared 90 minutes into the PPRO window.

It's an E175 and 80% of MCE is still available for sale at this moment along with seven seats in F. Either some Golds will get upgraded or everyone in F will have a full row to themselves! Think I'll have a mimosa...

ChurnieEls Feb 16, 2023 4:18 pm

Seems to be a bit of a price war on WAS-BNA, I'm seeing AA for $50 one way on 2/24 next. Ton of seats on that route between DCA/IAD/BWI, Allegiant in particular have some crazy low fares.

Its an easy upgrade ex DCA given they tend to use the 12 seat RJs and its a leisure route for the most part.

EJRofChicago Feb 16, 2023 4:58 pm


Originally Posted by ChurnieEls (Post 35017340)
Its an easy upgrade ex DCA given they tend to use the 12 seat RJs and its a leisure route for the most part.

No complaints here! DC is my home and my parents are about to retire to the Nashville area so I may be on this route with some frequency, good to know my chances remain good even if I only requalify for Gold next year.

metallo Feb 17, 2023 2:11 am


Originally Posted by lowkeyflyer (Post 35006103)
Any particular reason you book less than one week out? I imagine flight prices are exorbitantly higher at that timeframe.

S.O. and I both have fairly unpredictable schedules. We often travel together for leisure and may just fly away for a quick weekend trip, but we don't necessarily know that we're both available to do that until the last minute, or maybe we know we'll be available but don't know exactly what time of day we can leave until just before the potential trip. That sort of thing. Cost didn't increase close-in with Airpass, which is why I'm very disappointed it's going away. My work travel is actually much more predictable and easier to plan in advance than my personal travel.

Alec84 Feb 17, 2023 1:25 pm

I'm pretty sure I know the answer, but is there any a way to upgrade to F on AA domestic flight as a BA Gold or AY Platinum member?

RogueFlyerOne Feb 18, 2023 9:40 am

Just cleared T-120 for J on my Miami to LA Transcon. EXP with 255K LP

lowkeyflyer Feb 18, 2023 11:30 am


Originally Posted by RogueFlyerOne (Post 35021181)
Just cleared T-120 for J on my Miami to LA Transcon. EXP with 255K LP

Doesn't the EXP window open at T-100?

RogueFlyerOne Feb 18, 2023 12:32 pm


Originally Posted by lowkeyflyer (Post 35021445)
Doesn't the EXP window open at T-100?

Normally that's when I see it, but for some reason it popped up earlier. I did have to call EXP desk and confirm it because it had pulled my PE seat yet wouldn't allow me to select anything else in the Main Cabin. That's when I called and the agent said, "Well that's because you cleared for upgrade". He picked a set for me and that was it.


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